Joao Albasini build it and used it as his trading post/home. He brought iron from the Masorini to here and then took it al the way to Moz. It is the first time in South Africa that this type of building was discovered.

João Albasini (an Italian born Portuguese) was the first European who really established himself in this part of the Lowveld. Although the area was known as Ngomeni, he called it Magashulaskraal (as he obtained the ground from a local chief, Magashula, in exchange for 22 cattle).

The local black people called him Juwawa - a corruption of the pronunciation of João. Albasini originally had the idea to annex the Lowveld for Portugal and to call his new colony Santa Luiz, but he eventually started helping the Boere to establish the wagon route they wanted. Albasini had a very strong influence in the area - so much that the local communities along the Sabi River regarded them under his protection and work for him as carriers. They carried merchandise for him through the malaria- and tsetse fly corridor to the interior.

He lived here for only two years, before moving to Orighstad in 1847. He lived at several places after that, until his death in 1888.

(Information taken from David Paynter's book: "Die Krugerwildtuin in woord en beeld")

I have always wanted to see these ruinsbut just never seem to get around to it.

With regards to the Jock question, accordingto the book, the baboon was owned by a guycalled Seedling who used to dabble in dog fightswith his baboon for money. The baboon was tiedto a pole that had a little top post/hut.

In the book it says that the baboon fight took placein an area somewhere between Lydenberg and Paradise Camp.It was an area that was frequented by the prospectors.

From a personal point of view I do think the site needs some sort of re-vamp. Earlier this year I visited the ruins and the info boards were looking a bit shabby with some artifacts that had been 'removed' or had fallen off.

I have a deep love for the history of the Park and every time I'm in Kruger I always stop to visit the historical sites just because I love it so much, irrespective of the fact that I have seen them 100 times!

I think it is important as well to connect the Albasini ruins to Manungukop and Josikulu spruit. As these people worked for Albasini. I am also interested to hear more about Magashulu and his people who used to live there.This is such a colourful history.

Isn't this also the site where a lion killed the children of a Lance Corporal Willie Nkuna? and where he then stabbed the lioness when she attacked him while he was preparing the road for the funeral?

"I am doomed to be a wanderer, I am not an empire builder, I am not a missionary, I am not truly a scientist, I merely want to return to the bush to continue my wanderings" (Joseph Thompson - The bush for me and Africa for him)

Ecojunkie, this is so exciting, can the public visit the graves? will there be an information board about this?

"I am doomed to be a wanderer, I am not an empire builder, I am not a missionary, I am not truly a scientist, I merely want to return to the bush to continue my wanderings" (Joseph Thompson - The bush for me and Africa for him)

I use Albasini Ruins as the afternoon practical for the Parks Heritage 1 course I present. I challenge students (HRs and SANPark staff) to think about the reinterpretation and message of the site. There is much that can be done. I do not (as an academic) think all research questions RE: the trade routes have been answered. But alas the issue is funding! Any HR Region interested in funding a possible research and reinterpretation excercise? We have concrete ideas and suggestions but cannot go forth with further discussion with SANParks (e.g. getting it on the wish list) unless we can take it forward!